1926.307(d): Pulley Safety in Construction
Employers must guard pulleys with any part 7 feet or less from the floor or working platform. Belts need a guide where clearance is too tight, pulleys with cracks or broken rims must not be used, and pulleys run faster than the maker's normal speed must be specially designed and balanced.
Key takeaways
- 1926.307(d) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 21 times in the last 3 years, in 21 inspections, with $23,063 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NC (6), MD (5), MN (4).
- Related part: 1926.307(d)(1) Guarding (21 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.307(d) ("Pulleys") is one requirement inside 1926.307 Mechanical power-transmission apparatus, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart I). It includes 6 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(d) Pulleys — 21 citations
(1) Guarding. Pulleys, any parts of which are 7 feet (2.128 m) or less from the floor or working platform, shall be guarded in accordance with the standards specified in paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section. Pulleys serving as balance wheels (e.g., punch presses) on which the point of contact between belt and pulley is more than 6 ft. 6 in. (1.976 m) from the floor or platform may be guarded with a disk covering the spokes. Open (d)(1) 21 citations
(2) Location of pulleys.
(i) Unless the distance to the nearest fixed pulley, clutch, or hanger exceeds the width of the belt used, a guide shall be provided to prevent the belt from leaving the pulley on the side where insufficient clearance exists.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) Broken pulleys. Pulleys with cracks, or pieces broken out of rims, shall not be used.
(4) Pulley speeds. Pulleys intended to operate at rim speed in excess of manufacturers normal recommendations shall be specially designed and carefully balanced for the speed at which they are to operate.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.307.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: NC (6), MD (5), MN (4), WI (1), NE (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| JUVENTINO LOPEZ | FREMONT, NE | $3,457 |
| EDUARDO LARA JIMENEZ | MANSFIELD, TX | $3,227 |
| FEDEWA INC. | NEENAH, WI | $2,657 |
| CUSTOM BUILDING AND REMODELING, LLC | HORACE, ND | $2,128 |
| TRAF-MARK INDUSTRIES, L.L.C. | MEMPHIS, TN | $1,600 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.307(d), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.307(d).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.307(d)(1) Guarding 21 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
When must a pulley be guarded?
When any part of it is 7 feet or less from the floor or working platform.
Can a cracked pulley be used?
No. Pulleys with cracks or pieces broken out of rims shall not be used.
What about pulleys run at high speed?
Pulleys meant to run at rim speed above the manufacturer's normal recommendations must be specially designed and carefully balanced.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.307 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.